Five Goal Ford

LEE RANGERS 1-5 CHANDLERS FORD
24.03.07 – MID SOLENT 'B' LEAGUE

Chandlers Ford completed the double over Lee Rangers this morning to follow up their 4-1 home win early last month. It was a good performance all round and although the score was comfortable for CFY, they could have won by a few more perhaps.

Daniel Whitlocke, starting his first game for Ford, scored the opening goal with just over five minutes played. The ball came in from the right where Dan was on hand to calmly slot past the keeper.

Having gone a goal down, the Rangers got a lucky break to level the scores, coming up to midway through the half.

As the corner came in from the left, with good in-swing and pace, it struck Liam Godfrey in the head, who did his best to keep the ball out. It rebounded against the post though and stand in keeper Thorsten Tramischus - filling in for Karthik (out with tendonitis) between the sticks, could do nothing but watch as it crept over the line.

This seemed to spur the blues on even more and once again their dominance and pressure began to show.

Michael Sawbridge hit the post with Montigue and Harris also coming close on several occasions, the trio up front working the line superbly between them.

The lead was restored when Michael Wall hit a right foot volley that took a slight touch before finding the roof of the net. Josh Harragan's trademark long throw led to the goal, with Liam Godfrey touching the ball on, but Michael will take all the credit for picking his spot and bagging CFY's second goal.

Wall continued to play a key role in the game adding a third just minutes later with an absolute belter from 25 yards. Again Harragan was involved, who had been a part of every thing good about the visitors' play. Josh teed the ball up for Michael who fired a perfect curling effort into the top corner, leaving the keeper standing - another candidate for goal of the season!

As the half came to a close, Ford were now in complete control and perhaps unfortunate not to have had a few more goals to their name.

HALF TIME – Lee Rangers 1-3 CFY

It came as no surprise that Chandlers Ford continued to be much the better side with Rangers struggling to get out of their own half for long periods of time.

Throwing caution to the wind, Ford went all out attack camping in their opponents area with longs throws from Harragan and dangerous corners from Sawbridge coming thick and fast keeping the home side under the kosh.

David Harris got a deserved goal from a corner on the left hand side that flew past everyone and bounced over the line despite claims it had not crossed. There may have been a slight element of luck about the goal but in terms of the result it was important to extend the lead once more.

Apart from a few Rangers breakaways, CFY held the upper hand and soon went 5-1 up, through Harris once more. A long free kick up the park saw a whole host of red shirts cue up, staying on side with Montigue flicking it on nicely for David who did all the rest with a simple finish past the helpless keeper.

With the win now secure, Lee Rangers had nothing to lose and with better finishing could well have grabbed a consolation. One chance in particular saw the Rangers number ten take the ball past Thorsten but fire wide of an open goal.

More chances came for the Blues with Tom Pope coming close with a good half volley from a corner ball. Then lovely football saw Montigue win the ball tracking back before playing it to Harris down the right. The cross found Ryan Chinn unmarked at the back post who was unable to guide his effort into the net.

Seeing the game out fairly comfortably though, Ford picked up all three points with a near faultless performance.

Men of the match Josh Harragan and Michael Wall, just two of those doing themselves and the team proud with many others following closely behind with equally good performances.

FULL TIME –Lee Rangers 1-5 CFY

Match pictures by Neil Sawbridge

(Click images for larger size)

Lions Made To Strain In Cup

CHANDLERS FORD 2-4 LOCKSHEATH
17.03.07 – LEAGUE CUP 1/4 FINAL

A vastly improved performance from the last time these sides met, saw Chandlers Ford go out of the cup with their heads held high.

With the A Division side being the clear favourites to win, and their 7-1 defeat over CFY in a pre-season friendly, it was a surprise to see the home side take the lead.

Saying that, it was thoroughly deserved as Chandlers Ford took the game to the Lions early on to get their just rewards with a positive attacking, team move. Jozef Montigue finished it off with a cheeky flick over the keeper, who got a hand to it but couldn't stop it from going into the top corner.

Locksheath hit back however, with a well-taken goal to equalise, catching CFY off guard on the counter attack, but full credit to the Blues who did not get down about this and continued to play the better football.

Montigue had a couple of similar chances to the one he took, come his way, but the goalscorer couldn't repeat the result and then the woodwork was struck with CFY looking in good shape. The excellent David Harris received the ball from a throw in on the left and got past his marker with ease before lashing a belting shot that rattled the crossbar. It was a great effort and very unlucky not to have put CFY back in front.

Unfortunately, despite playing very well against better opponents, they conceded a second goal and went in at half time very unfortunate to be a goal behind, having dominated so much of the play.

HALF TIME – CFY 1-2 Locksheath Lions

After a very impressive first half, Chandlers Ford slipped slightly and Locksheath were able to put their foot down and find weaknesses to extend their lead.

Karthik Basker, as always, put in an inspired performance between the sticks making some fantastically brave saves to not only give confidence to his defence but keep the scores fairly tight as well.

Ford held their opponents for a good 10-15 minutes before conceding a needless penalty when Robbie Hurst handled the bar inside the area. Locksheath failed to take advantage this time though and shot comfortably wide of goal.

They did go on to score two more shortly after this incident to effectively kill the game off. Their last goal in particular was a big disappointment from the home side who literally stood off and watched as the ball was struck, unchallenged, past the helpless Basker, who had no chance.

With time running out, CFY grabbed a late consolation through Michael Wall. Miles Hodge, who had come on and done very well with some nice touches, flicked the ball on perfectly out to the left for Michael Wall who controlled a looping shot that looked to be going over but dipped at just the right time. The goalkeeper tried to keep the strike out but it had already crossed the line.

A fantastic display from CFY, to build on two equally good performances in the league last weekend. There were a whole lot of positives to take from the game and despite the result everyone can be proud of their achievements.

FULL TIME –CFY 2-4 Locksheath Lions

4 out of 6 Points in Double Header

CHANDLERS FORD 2-2 PURBROOK YOUTH
10.03.07 – MID SOLENT B LEAGUE

After so many postponed fixtures due to bad weather, Chandlers Ford finally managed to play a game, the first time in over a month since they beat Lee Rangers 4-1 back in early February.

In fact, it was better than that, as it was two games in one go with 25 minutes each way.

In the first game at their new venue of Magpie Lane, CFY got off to a bright start with a couple of early chances.

Michael Sawbridge found his range with an excellent free kick that flew past a whole crowd of players at great speed and into the top corner of the net with the goalkeeper left standing.

The Blues should have been at least three or four goals up at half time as they dominated possession and looked comfortable at the back but 1-0 it stayed at the break.

HALF TIME – CFY 1-0 Purbrook Youth

Early in the second half, Thorsten Tramischus doubled our lead giving Chandlers Ford the best possible start. The goal came from an excellent through ball on the right hand side from Jozef Montigue with Tramishcus pouncing and slotting past the keeper with a good finish.

The game became very open all of a sudden and Purbrook came alive as they pulled back from 2-0 down to rescue a point. The visitors equalised midway through the half and then levelled the scores five minutes from the end showing that a lack of concentration can cost you.

There was still time for either side to pinch all three points with a chance falling to Montigue at one end and then the ball went straight up the other end with Purbrook coming so close of winning the game with the last kick.

FULL TIME –CFY 2-2 Purbrook Youth

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PURBROOK YOUTH 3-5 CHANDLERS FORD
10.03.07 – MID SOLENT B LEAGUE

In the second game of the double header, with both sides having a chance to get to know each others strength's and weaknesses briefly in their first encounter just moments before, it was Chandlers Ford who came out on top with a positive display.

Jozef Montigue put Ford into the lead when a penalty was awarded just minutes into the game. A blatant hand ball from a Purbrook defender, who found himself in the way of a Michael Sawbridge corner, was penalised and up stepped Montigue. The keeper made a good save to parry but couldn't hold on to the powerful shot and Jozef followed in quickly to fire his side into a 1-0 lead.

Just like the first game Chandlers Ford extended their advantage with a second goal, Thorsten scoring for the second time in the day as he bundled his way through the Purbrook defence before smashing into the roof of the net.

However, Purbrook showed good determination and bounced back the same way they did in the first game and with two quick fire goals, only this time CFY didn't let this get to them. David Harris restored the lead instantly as he buried an excellent cross from the left hand side by Michael Wall with a great strike.

HALF TIME – Purbrook Youth 2-3 CFY

Ending the first half on a positive, almost defintely helped the Blues to play confident football when the second half began.

Michael Sawbridge continued with his Matt Le Tissier impressions with an incredible inswinging corner that beat everybody and nestled perfectly in the back of the net, for yet another trademark special from Michael.

Things went from bad to worse for Purbrook as their opponents continued to play with great confidence. Liam Godfrey increased Ford's lead with a brilliant finish from the edge of the area. The ball bounced around the Purbrook penalty area, and Godfrey, who had been playing so well got a deserved goal and what a goal it was too.

As the ball landed at Liam's feet, there was only one thing on his mind and that was to pick out the top corner. This he did in style with a half volley struck with the outside of his boot.

Purbrook may have had the last say with a well taken goal, but it was too little too late meaning Chandlers Ford had done more than enough to pick up a well earned three points.

On the day, 4 out of 6 points picked up is a good achievement although a win instead of a draw in the first match would have seen us move up a couple of places in the table.

It was good to see David Phillips back playing again and well done to Karthik Basker for some more splendid saves winning man of the match in the second match, and to Michael Sawbridge who picked up the award for the first game. Well done to you all, we could do with some more results like these!

FULL TIME – Purbrook Youth 3-5 CFY

A Great Win Against The Rangers

CHANDLERS FORD 4-1 LEE RANGERS
03.02.07 – MID SOLENT B LEAGUE

Chandlers Ford put the pain of last week’s heavy defeat well and truly behind them this morning with David Harris and Thorsten Tramischus grabbing two goals each in what was a solid performance.

Michael Sawbridge came back into the side after recovering from an illness and nearly scored an early freekick that brushed past Harris before being saved.

There was good football played by CFY as they looked confident going forward and even better at the back with Karthik Basker rarely having a save to make.

Joe Montigue was a constant menace against the Rangers left back with his speed and fed some excellent passes through to the forwards.

Meanwhile at the back Robbie Hurst, the captain, was back to his old self after coming back from knee problems and both he and Josh Harragan completely dominated at the back helped out superbly by both Michael Wall and David Bromhead as well. Nothing looked like getting past them and for the first time in a long while, they looked a solid unit.

The Blues finally took the lead fifteen minutes into the first half when Montigue was brought down just outside the area, slightly to the left of goal. DAVID HARRIS stepped up to take the free kick as it favoured a right footer, and smashed the ball into the roof of the net with the keeper left standing.

That is the way it stayed until the end of the half but really Chandlers Ford should have been four or five goals in front against weaker opposition and having so many good chances.

HALF TIME – CFY 1-0 Lee Rangers

It did not take long before the Blues doubled their lead, as they continued to play the same attacking football just like they had done in the first half.

The ball bobbled around the goalmouth as a cross came in from the left and was deflected into the path of HARRIS who slid in at the back post to tap into an empty net and grab his second goal of the game.

‘Harry’, was having a field day and was flying down the right wing, his incredible speed, dribbling and close ball control meant no one could get near him and showed exactly why he won man of the match when he set up goal number three with a moment of brilliance. Harris went on an incredible run beating his man before squaring for THORSTEN TRAMISCHUS who did the rest to slot home from close range.

The game was put beyond any doubt with Rangers having no chance of a comeback when Montigue played a great ball down the middle for TRAMISCHUS to poke the ball to the left of the keeper and into the net.

Later in the match, Michael Sawbridge had a good opportunity to make it 5-0. With the ball looking like it was going out of play, Joe chased it down before unselfishly laying it back for Michael who hit a crisp left foot effort that was curling towards the top corner but somehow the keeper kept it out.

Lee Rangers hit the crossbar from a corner for their first real attempt on goal. This proved to be a warning that they were still out to get something from the game. The clean sheet and hard work from in the end didn’t count for a lot with players beginning to get tired after an excellent all round performance, as in the final moments of the game when Rangers found a way past Basker.

All in all it was a fantastic improvement on the performance from last week and everyone seemed to shine and play a part in the victory, which was really good to see, now then for a win in our next game!

FULL TIME –CFY 4-1 Lee Rangers

Match Pictures by Neil Sawbridge

East Lodge 'B' 7-2 CFY

EAST LODGE ‘B’ 7-2 CHANDLERS FORD
27.01.07 – MID SOLENT B LEAGUE

After finally having a match since the weather interrupted our fixture schedule (for the best part of two months!), it really wasn’t worth waiting for.

It took East Lodge just two minutes to take the lead as they easily found their way through the CFY defence before applying the finish.

1-0 soon became 2 and then 3 goals to the good for the home side as they simply worked the way up the pitch and then shot past the unprotected Karthik Basker to increase the lead further inside the first five minutes. The lack of closing down and failing to even attempt a challenge effectively put the game to bed at such an early stage, this knocked out whatever confidence Chandlers Ford might have had and the visitors never really recovered from this setback.

Liam Godfrey came so close with a sweetly struck volley on the right hand side that rattled the crossbar and deserved to go in.

East Lodge were always in control of the game though and soon went 4-0 up, again punishing a defensive error.

There was a bit of hope for the Blues when David Harris latched on to Thorsten Tramischus’ pass down the left as he coolly sidestepped tackles finding himself with just the keeper to beat, which he did with a smart finish to net his third goal of the season.

Despite the chance of getting back in the game having Lodge on the back foot for the first time, CFY couldn’t make it count and very quickly found themselves conceding a fifth.

On the stroke of half time, Chandlers Ford managed to force a penalty through throwing players into the box to put the pressure on. This paid off as when Thorsten shot the ball struck the hand of an East Lodge defender. Jozef Montigue stepped up to slot the kick to the keepers left to end the half on a high, but the overall performance in the first 35 minutes was far from acceptable.

HALF TIME – East Lodge 5-2 CFY

The second half didn’t get a lot better, with East Lodge always having the upper hand, constantly threatening a defence off-colour and lacking pace. At the other end, CFY rarely created chances.

If it were not for the saves and an inspired performance from Karthik, East Lodge would have almost definitely been into the double figures. As it was they managed to almost walk through to score another two goals.

Towards the end, there was a slight improvement from Chandlers Ford, as they kept Lodge pegged in their half were a good spell where they had several corners in a row to put some pressure on, with little end product.

Miles Hodge played a good pass to Michael Wall from one of the corners, but the shot was comfortably saved. Montigue also got a save out of the keeper but the game was already well and truly over.

Karthik continued to pull off save after save and more than deserved his man of the match award. His dive at full stretch to tip around the past in the last attack of the game was superb and great to see.

It will take a lot to bounce back from this result but there is still a lot of football to be played.

FULL TIME – East Lodge 7-2 CFY